Panaji: The I-League is set to kick off on November 22, with Sreendi Deccan facing Gokulam Kerala in the opening match in Hyderabad. This season will feature 12 teams competing for promotion to the Indian Super League, and the league will run until April 6, 2025.
Among the teams returning to the I-League are two newly promoted sides: Sporting Club Bengaluru and Dempo SC. Dempo SC is particularly significant as they make a comeback after an eight-season absence. The club had withdrawn from the I-League before the 2016-17 season in protest against the All India Football Federation's (AIFF) plans to promote the ISL as the top league.
Dempo SC will start their campaign against Aizwal FC in Aizwal on November 23. Meanwhile, another Goan team, Churchill Brothers FC, will play against Shillong Lajong FC on November 24. There are only two teams from Goa in this season’s I-League: Dempo SC and Churchill Brothers FC.
Anilkumar Prabhakaran, the AIFF secretary general, said that the federation recently met with I-League club owners to discuss sponsorship and broadcasting plans for the league. He said, “Hopefully, we will be able to complete this process by the second week of November as the first match is on November 22. A couple of points raised by the I-League clubs are being considered by the AIFF.”
The I-League operates on a promotion and relegation model with the ISL and I-League 2. Last season saw teams like Punjab FC and Mohammedan Sporting get promoted to the ISL. Sporting Club Bengaluru and Dempo SC earned their places in the I-League by finishing in the top two spots in I-League 2 after 14 matches.
Dempo SC is the most successful club in I-League history, boasting three titles. This will be their first season back in the league since 2016-17. Sporting Club Bengaluru will also be eager to make their mark in their inaugural I-League season.
The complete lineup for the I-League includes Inter Kashi, Sporting Club Bengaluru, Sreenidi Deccan, Gokulam Kerala FC, Aizwal FC, Delhi FC, Churchill Brothers, Rajasthan United, Dempo SC, Real Kashmir FC, Shillong Lajong FC, and Namdhari.
